Brief History of the Portage Trail Bridges
The original wooden bridge was first built in 1836 when a linseed oil mill was built on the east bank and would have needed some form of span across the river.
Although many people believe that there has only been two bridges prior to our humpback, I have found another record within the city ordinances stating that a second bridge was built in 1841.
In November of 1840 the Portage Street bridge was reported unsafe for teams (of horses – for you youngsters out there) to cross. The Marshal was instructed by the city council to close it. The following month, the trustees authorized $330 to William Beal and Henry Scott to build and furnish material for a brand new wooden covered bridge. After the new bridge was completed, trustees immediately passed a law making it an offense to smoke while crossing the bridge. This was our very first no smoking law!
The third and more stable bridge was built sometime before 1867 as it is shown as an iron bridge on the atlas of that year. By 1969 the Portage Trail bridge was in a desolate state. Although Mr. McCormick, from the engineering department, tried to get the stone and iron bridge saved as a historic landmark, he was unsuccessful.
In 1970 the city decided that the old bridge would be replaced with a fourth – a new 600 foot four lane span that stretched from Front Street to Newberry Street as a part of construction for the extension of the Moulton Freeway . With the choices being dynamite or a wrecking ball, Ruhlin Construction company decided on a steel ball and cranes.
- Wooden Mill Bridge
- 1840 Wooden Covered Bridge
- 1867 Iron & Stone Bridge
- 1970 Humpback Bridge
Click to enlarge photos below.
In the last pic you can see Bill Tompkin house.
Notice the Cook Street apartments in a couple of those pics, CFHS (Historucsl Society) is right across thd street from there and my cousins house next door. By the way, your spot was at one time a grocery store theirs was not, it was always a residence.
That bridge…walked across that many times to and from the high school. So many changes..wouldnt know my way around any more. I do hope to stop in if I get back sometime in August.
Really like this site, happy to know there sre people wjo care enough about the past to improve the future.
I liked it before the bridge.
Very cool post, thanks so much for the journey into the past
I love this! Im glad I moved down here. Its so rich in history. Thanks for sharing this!!
I was born and raised in Cuyahoga Falls, as was my father and grandfather. Our family home was within view of the old bridge. When we lived there initially, the street (E. Portage Tr.) was made of brick and the light posts along the street were columns with glass globes. The homes were some of the first built in the city and many were occupied by city fathers and local business families (ie: The Jones family who owned several downtown buildings including a confectionery and the theater ) In short, it was a beautiful place to live. Tearing down the old stone bridge changed all that. I can remember as a child the blasting that took place in an effort to demolish the bridge. After numerous attempts with explosives (and many cracked plaster walls in our home) they finally discovered that the bridge had been constructed using a center stone that basically held up the structure. When removed, the bridge fell into the river. Our family home is now on an endangered list and will no doubt be torn down at some point. The monstrosity that replaced the stone bridge destroyed the most historical part of the city and served little purpose. When I first left Ohio I would always drive by the neighborhood when visiting. I can no longer do that.
Thanks for sharing! I’d forgotten that it was flat prior to Moulton/Ackerman Freeway. I presently LIVE in one of the houses that remained standing along Rt.8’s path, albeit with a lot 1/3 of it’s original size. I remember the protests and “eminent domain” seizures on Front St./2nd St., etc, ONLY to have the stupid thing originally make it to just Hudson Drive! Generational families lived on both sides of Front St. and the old McDonald’s/Burger Chef location was left non-viable. Lost a perfectly good “Head Shop” too.